by Vicki Leigh
Wind ripped past my ears. I swore, my legs shaking beneath my suddenly-too-heavy weight.
“Don’t let him watch!” Lian yelled at Ivan. He spun us around.
The trees wavered like a tornado blew through, and then Kayla screamed, loud and raw, the tone high and unearthly. A vibration, like the boom of a shock wave, barreled through me, and I whimpered through clenched teeth.
The world stilled.
Ivan’s arms fell away. I spun, my pulse deafening in my ears. Kayla lay on her back again, her face soft and peaceful, almost too serene.
So terrified that I couldn’t feel my legs, I plopped next to Kayla’s motionless body and placed my fingers on the side of her neck. Please, God, please.
A soft rhythm beat against my fingers.
I slumped onto my feet and pressed my palms to my eyes, bowing my head. I didn’t care anymore if the spell failed. She was alive.
Kayla’s hand shot between my arms. She gripped my throat, stronger than she should’ve been able to squeeze. She sneered at me, her eyes narrowed and her irises molten gold.
“Kayla, no!” Lian yelled, rushing us with Ivan close behind.
I extended my hand, palm out, stopping them in their tracks. The corners of my vision darkening, I pried her fingers from my throat as much as I could and tried to speak. “Kayla, it’s me. You’re all right, love.” My words were strained, pinched off by her fingers digging into my neck. I forced a swallow, dizziness overwhelming me. I pushed through the pain, forcing my voice to strengthen. “Baby, let go.”
The sneer fell from Kayla’s face like she’d been zapped with a Taser. Her eyes focused, the glow in her irises diminishing. Her gaze dropped from mine to the hand she still clenched around my neck. She let go with a shout. Oxygen slammed into my chest for the second time in one night, and I rolled onto my back, coughing and gasping for air.
Kayla was on her knees in seconds, her hands resting on my chest. “Oh my God—Daniel, I’m so sorry.”
I put a hand over hers when I caught my breath, closing my eyes. I tried to swallow and winced. Lucky she hadn’t crushed my throat. Fifteen more seconds, and she probably would have.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“Yeah.” My eyes watered. Someone might as well be scraping the inside of my throat with long, jagged fingernails. “What happened?”
The look that lit up her face bordered on a leer. “He knew I was trying to figure out where he was, but I don’t think he realized how strong I’d gotten. He attempted to push me out of his mind and trap me in limbo, but I was able to hang on somehow. And now, I don’t even need to do a locator spell. Richard’s in Columbus, Daniel. In that old warehouse where you said you killed Giovanni. He’s been there the whole time.”
I pounded my fist against my forehead. I was such a bloody fool. How had I not thought to check there? He’d loved Giovanni as much as I loved Kayla. As evil and cunning as Richard was, he was still as human as the rest of us. We hadn’t given Giovanni a Catcher’s funeral—we’d left him lying in a pool of his own blood for Richard to find. Not surprisingly, Richard had chosen to hide in the last spot his one true love had been alive.
Elation filled every muscle and joint in my body. After all these weeks, we finally found him. Sure, he could leave and find another place to cower, but given the sentimentality attached to his current whereabouts, I’d bet my afterlife he’d put up a fight to stay.
Grinning, I grabbed Kayla’s face and smashed my mouth against hers. We finally had a chance to end this, and all because of her—her power, her strength, her love for those she cared about.
“I’m so proud of you,” I said when I pulled away. “Let’s go save the world, shall we?”
Attaching my weapon belt to my waist, I put out a distress call to any of Trishna’s followers who might be listening. For anyone who can hear me, this is Daniel Graham. My team has located Richard, and I’m requesting assistance from any willing volunteer. Please reply if you’re able to fight.
Lian and Ivan spoke quietly in a corner of the room while Samantha, Seth, Vinny, Bernice, and Ashleigh shuffled weapons around. We’d established the possibility of Richard binding the Magus’ abilities, so even they were padding on as much ammunition as they could carry.
I closed my eyes and again called out. I repeat, this is Daniel Graham, and we’ve found Richard. Can anyone hear me?
Once Kayla adjusted her dark hair into a bun, she stepped toward me, handing me the belt I’d stocked for her. “Can you help me?”
I smiled softly. She didn’t need my assistance. But who was I to pass up a moment of intimacy with the girl I loved?
Taking the belt, I wrapped it around her waist and secured the leather strap, positioning the holsters and sheaths into positions I felt would be most comfortable for her. I tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear and stared down her body, letting my palms linger on her hips, my thumbs caress her waist. The feel of her curves had become so familiar, like my hands were shaped to fit her, to hold her and never let go.
Kayla stroked my chest. “Everything’s going to be okay.”
The corner of my mouth twitched. Since when had our roles reversed? “I know.”
The early-morning sunlight bounced off the golden flecks in her hazel eyes. God, I loved her. I let the image of her pink cheeks and delicate features burn into my memory. When I lowered my mouth to hers, I opened and closed it with mine, memorizing her taste, her scent, the feel of her lips.
“Man, get a room!” Seth fake-gagged.
“Leave them alone,” Lian replied. “We don’t know what the next few hours are going to bring.”
I groaned. The last thing I needed was for a hundred possible scenarios to run through my head again or to think about how the next time a Nightmare ripped through Kayla’s body, it would actually be her. A few more times, I kissed Kayla, my heart heavy. When I pulled away, I ran my knuckles along her soft cheek. “Whatever happens, I’ll be right by your side.”
Kayla grabbed my hand and kissed my fingers. “I’m counting on it.” I love you.
I pressed my forehead to hers. Ti amo, rosa mia.
With a smile, she twined her fingers with mine, and I nodded to the rest of the group that it was time. I held my other hand out to Samantha. She glared at me before taking it. Unlike Kayla, she hadn’t yet warmed up to me after Nolan’s death. I didn’t blame her. I’d robbed her of her happily ever after. Again.
“Last chance for anyone to back out. I won’t judge you,” I said.
“You’d die without me, man,” Seth replied, grabbing Samantha’s other hand. Lian and Ivan followed suit, as did Vinny.
“We’ve come this far,” Bernice said. Taking Ashleigh’s pale hand, they joined the rest of us.
I gave Kayla’s fingers a squeeze. We were no more than nine strong, but every gaze that lingered on me was ready, fierce. And no man should ever underestimate a person willing to die for something they believed in.
One last time, I called out to any surviving members of Trishna’s coven, hoping someone would answer. For anyone willing to help, we’ll be at the old automobile factory in Columbus, Ohio. Please at least pass along the message to Bartholomew.
I met the gazes of my comrades one at a time. “Let’s go kill that evil son of a bitch.”
olumbus was more depressing than I remembered. Six hours behind Switzerland, the city was still dark, and where Bern still looked like a city—albeit it, a destroyed one—Columbus was an absolute wasteland, wiped off the map, like a town demolished by a hundred-mile-wide tornado. The street was now gravel and dirt. There were no sounds at all, not even crickets, and the air was rancid with the smell of rotting flesh and sulfur.
I had to press my lips together to keep from gagging.
Let’s go, I said to the group. Plucking two blades from the belt around my waist, I led my team toward the factory, my palms sweaty.
Two large, black figures slithered across the street from the warehouse, fifty feet in
front of us. The hairs on my arms rose. I raised a hand, stopping the group’s momentum. Of the nine of us, six could see the Nightmares. But Vinny, Bernice, and Ashleigh watched my every movement, waiting for my signal to alert them if we were not alone.
Damn. We’re going to need to fight to even get near the gate, I said.
I know a better way in, Kayla replied.
I narrowed my eyes. What do you mean?
She nodded toward the opposite side of the street. There’s a manhole over there that’ll lower us into a sewer that runs directly into the factory. It’s how Richard’s Magus bypass the Nightmares. He’ll never expect us to use it. I saw it when I was in his head.
Brilliant.Get Vinny and the witches in safely when the Nightmares are distracted. That hole is within their feeler range. We’ll hold them off and join you when you’re safe.
I looked to the others to ensure they’d heard our conversation. Every stare was focused, and each of my comrades stood strong. They were ready. I increased my grip on my daggers and sauntered forward, waiting for the Nightmares to spot me. Samantha, Seth, Ivan, and Lian stayed close to me as we strolled down the center of the street. Shooting my gaze over my shoulder, I stopped when we were directly in front of the street cover. Within seconds, the Nightmares smelled me.
Growls and snarls filled the city as twenty hairy beasts charged us, their red eyes glowing and their fangs exposed. My Catchers staggered formation without needing an order, our eyes always on one another’s backs. I squared my shoulders and poised on the balls of my feet, increasing my grip on my daggers. Here we go.
The first Nightmare to reach me was missing half its face, and its stench was nauseating. It slashed at me with both arms. I bent my knees, and its claws whizzed above my head. Bringing both blades up into its stomach, I tossed it over my shoulder. With an earsplitting scream, the monster flung behind me, and I couldn’t help but smirk a little. It’d been way too long. I tore my daggers through its chest as it fell to the ground.
Beside me, Samantha fought two simultaneously. I kicked the feet out from under one as Samantha sliced open the throat of the other. The fiend gurgled as it fell, and Samantha dropped to a knee, stabbing its partner in the chest. Grinning, she ripped her blade from the Nightmare and raised her hand for a fist bump.
To my left, a one-armed Nightmare rushed me, swiping its jagged black jaws at my throat. I dodged its attack just in time. I kicked the beast when it made a second pass for my neck, but the monster was bigger and faster than I expected. It barely faltered, catching my shirt with its claws.
Swearing when the fabric tore, I spun out of the way.
The monster’s shark-like teeth sought my throat, and I stabbed one of my daggers into the side of its neck. The Nightmare’s claws caught my forearm as it batted me away. I let go of my blade to keep from losing my hand. Tugging a third knife from my weapon belt, I stepped behind the beast and shoved both blades into its spine. The Nightmare squealed, its cry ear-splitting, and I winced as I tore my daggers out of its back, severing its spinal column.
Now, guys! Kayla shouted in my head.
Sprinting as hard as we could, the five of us hurried to the manhole cover, stopping only to block or dodge any Nightmares that stayed on our heels. Samantha and Lian were the first to jump into the sewer, then Seth and Ivan followed, not more than a second between each other.
Claws caught my shoulder. I shouted as I dropped ten feet into the drain below. Tingles ran up my legs upon impact, and I tipped sideways. Seth caught me by the back of the shirt before I fell into what smelled like dog vomit mixed with rotten eggplant. To my right, Ashleigh puked, and Samantha covered her mouth and nose, her brown eyes squeezed closed.
Everyone all right? I asked. We needed to keep moving if we wanted to remain undiscovered as long as possible. And I was going to vomit if I didn’t get out of here soon. When everyone nodded or mumbled some type of affirmative, I said, Let’s keep moving, and ushered Kayla to lead the way.
No more than two minutes later, Kayla halted, the rest of us barreling into her like blind sheep. I groaned when Seth smacked into my back, a wave of throbbing pain running down my legs from the claw marks.
What’s wrong? I asked Kayla.
There are Magus around the curve ahead. I can feel them.
Let us go first, Daniel, Vinny said, shuffling to the front of the line as quietly as possible.
If we can feel them, how do we know they aren’t sensing us? Bernice asked.
We paused.
Four of Richard’s Magus rounded the corner, hands raised. Kayla got a shield up just in time to protect herself; the rest of us dropped into the liquid waste as magic flew over our heads.
Like when she’d practiced with Nolan, Kayla dodged and blocked the few attacks that came at her, throwing out her own without falter. One hit a witch square in the chest. She tumbled to the ground, screaming as flames engulfed her.
Help me! Kayla yelled.
Vinny and Bernice jumped to their feet, blocking us from the view of Richard’s coven. Bernice tossed a sphere of water into the air in front of Vinny, like a volleyball serve, and with a gust of freezing air, Vinny turned the water to ice, vaulting it into one of the warlock’s chests. Like cannon fire, the ice pierced the man, and he sunk to the floor of the sewer, his blood mixing with the waste.
Now outnumbered, the other two Magus turned and ran, but Kayla caught them before they got too far. Fire left her palms, and they turned to ash. The rest of us rose to our feet, and I caught Kayla’s glance. Her eyes glittered.
We pressed forward, Kayla again in the lead. I stayed close on her heels, tightening my grip on my blades.
Ugh, I’m never going to get this smell washed off me, Samantha complained as we trekked around the bend.
Well, good news is you smell better now, Seth joked.
Samantha slapped him, the soft thud echoing in the sewer.
Both of you, stay alert, I reminded them when Seth snickered. Glad to know they were still in good spirits, but I was fearful one wrong move would give us away.
Two minutes later, a ladder to ascend came into view. I tugged Kayla behind me. If anyone was going to get hit, it would be me. Protectors out first. Stay invisible. Magus, stay hidden until you see your opening.
I climbed, corporeal until I reached the floor above. Sometimes, moving through inanimate objects while invisible was a real pain in the ass. I pushed through the hole above, disappearing the moment I let go of the ladder. No Magus paraded around the room, just ten Nightmares. And they could see me, regardless of whether I was corporeal or not.
Blast.
Magus, stay in the shadows until it’s clear!
The Nightmares snapped into action the moment they spotted me. I rolled out of the way of my first attacker’s claws, slicing through its ankles. The beast screamed, thrashing its arms as it fell to the ground. Still on my back, I waited until the next monster reached down to rip through my gut, then stabbed my daggers into the crooks of its elbows, severing the Nightmare’s muscles.
Placing my feet on its thighs, I threw the fiend over my head, somersaulting backward. Straddling the Nightmare, I tore my knives from the beast’s arms and sliced an X through its neck before slamming my blades into its chest, perforating its heart. Its squirming ceased in seconds.
Bloody hell, that was close.
I leaped off the dead Nightmare, knives in my hands. Behind me, battles raged on. I spun around just as Lian fell to one knee, her right calf torn clean through. The beast that had struck her reached back to chop off her head. With a grunt, I threw a dagger as hard as I could. My blade stuck straight between the Nightmare’s eyes, and it tumbled, sprawling onto its back.
Across the room, Seth and Samantha fought side by side, taking down the remaining two Nightmares. Ivan and I rushed to Lian.
Kayla, we need you! I shouted.
In Ivan’s arms, Lian swore in Mandarin, clutching her leg to keep from bleeding out. Dropping my dagger, I wr
apped my hands over hers and squeezed, my longer fingers offering better support.
Hang on, I said to her as she bit her tongue to keep from screaming.
Move out of my way, Kayla said, dropping to her knees. The moment Lian and I removed our hands from her wound, Kayla pressed her palms against the gashes. Yellow light glowed between her fingers. Lian leaned into Ivan and screamed through clenched teeth. He covered her mouth, muffling her as best he could. Who knew how long we had until more Nightmares or Magus showed. We couldn’t risk showcasing that one of us was injured.
Kayla pulled her hands away seconds later, and Ivan kissed the top of Lian’s head.
We need to keep moving, I said, springing to my feet and pulling Kayla to hers.
This way, Kayla responded, hurrying toward the stairs that would lead us from the basement. I stayed on her heels, ready to take on whatever waited.
Magus, grab hold of a Protector. We stay invisible until we reach the top, I instructed.
When our team assembled behind us, Kayla and I locked eyes. Ready? I asked.
Her eyes tightened, but she sucked in a deep breath and nodded. Richard might be evil, but he was still her father.
I frowned. You know I’d give anything for you to not have to do this.
She glanced at the floor. The dad I knew died a long time ago.
My chest tightened. I stuck my daggers into my belt and gently lifted her chin. Her teary eyes found mine. I won’t leave your side for one second. You feel frightened for even a moment, you cling to me, okay?
Again, she nodded, then she slipped her hand in mine, and we jogged up the stairs, invisible.
My heart lodged in my throat. What would await us when we reached the top? A hundred more Nightmares? Fifty Magus?
We crested the stairwell, skidding to a stop. I gripped Kayla’s hand tighter, fighting the urge to shove her back down the steps to safety.
The room where we’d battled Giovanni and his followers was empty except for a bonfire in the center of the room—